LINZ. As was announced on Wednesday, the costs for the first construction phase of the A26 (West Ring) will increase by a further 13 percent to 295 million euros. After the city of Linz had already decided on additional costs of five million euros last year, additional costs of 1.75 million euros are now imminent. For the entire motorway project, the city is thus faced with a burden of around 38 million euros.
The total amount that the federal, state and city governments have to raise now amounts to almost 780 million euros, and there is no end in sight. “The construction of this Stone Age project is not only completely irresponsible in times of the climate crisis, but also turns out to be a grave of millions that devours more money every year. Therefore, the city must do everything possible to get out of the financing contract,” club chairman Helge Langer repeats the demand of the Greens Linz.
Expensive surprises for the city threaten
While other cities are doing everything they can to get car traffic out of the centre, exactly the opposite is happening in Linz with the construction of the station motorway. It is particularly absurd that the city is also transferring money to Vienna for this federal motorway project. Specifically, the city and state have committed themselves to bearing ten and five percent of the costs for the construction of the motorway. There is no cap on the total amount to which this regulation applies. As a result, the city could be faced with further costly surprises at any time.
As a reminder: Already in the summer of 2020, the costs for the entire motorway rose from 646 million euros to 743 million euros. Now the first stage alone costs 35 million euros more than the basis for the municipal council decision in 2021. “In fact, it is already clear that the A26 will be even more expensive in view of the current price increases. It is all the more urgent to find ways to get out of this grave of millions,” Langer makes clear.
More bike and public transport offers needed
Because while the necessary money is always more than scarce, especially for cycling, the millions are apparently still loose when it comes to the construction of new motorways. With at least around 38 million euros, which the city is cementing in the asphalt of the station motorway, the expansion of the bicycle network could finally pick up the necessary pace. For comparison: the city of Graz and the state of Styria are investing 100 million euros in their cycling offensive. “We don’t need any new autobahns in Linz, but much more attractive public transport and safe cycle paths. To do this, however, it is urgently necessary to say goodbye to the old way of thinking and to let the money flow into those projects that do not further heat up the climate and do not lead to any further pollution from exhaust gases or noise and thus to the health and quality of life of all of us. so long in conclusion.
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